Research programs

CAN provides funding to its Network Investigators through the following programs:

Sustained Impact Platform Program (SIPP)
Strategic Research Initiatives (SRI)
Strategic Research Initiative Development (SRID) Funding
Strategic Research Program (SRP)
Discovery Advancement Program (DAP)
Strategic Research Resources (SRR)
Industry Research Program (IRP)
Partnership Planning Grant (PPG)
KTE Grants
Pilot Grant Program (PGP)
Rapid Impact Platform Program (RIPP)

2010-12 Sustained Impact Platform Program

The 2010-12 Sustained Impact Platform Program (SIPP) is the second phase of CAN's Platform Program. The development of platforms is intended to help CAN researchers harness existing expertise within the Network to avoid "reinventing the wheel" through individual research efforts. The aim of SIPP is to fund the creation and provision of resources and services that will facilitate research and the utilization of research results.

Whereas the Rapid Impact Platform Program (RIPP) was targeted at platforms that could be implemented and utilized in a short time frame, SIPP is intended to support initiatives that require a longer development phase, but whose utility will be broadly applicable and of lasting value.

SIPP initiatives are similar to RIPP initiatives in that they can draw on expertise from any pillar of research and may involve bringing experts together (for example, in workshops and functional groups) to establish collections, standardize research processes or services, or create new community resources of common need. Also, successful SIPP initiatives will create tangible products (e.g. resources and services) and bring direct research value to a significant number of CAN members. Emphasis continues to be on making expertise and resources available for others. Unlike RIPP initiatives, SIPP platforms will continue over a number of years making a lasting contribution to the research community.

Funding

• CAN will fund up to two SIPP initiatives, with a maximum contribution of $115,000 per initiative.
• SIPPs require an upfront partner cash contribution equivalent to at least one third of the overall platform budget (minimum 1:2 match Partner:CAN).
• (CAN funding for Platform Programs is not intended to provide for activities that are relevant to one particular group. Funding is intended for activities that make research resources and expertise within a group accessible to the broader research community.)

Deadlines

Return to top

Strategic Research Initiatives (SRI)

Strategic Research Initiatives (SRIs) drive integrated, trans-disciplinary (inter-thematic) research aimed at translating research. This broad 'matrix' research structure focuses on specific unmet needs in arthritis. SRIs are designed to produce more effective trans-disciplinary collaborations between investigators and provide direct opportunities for government and industry involvement in arthritis research. SRIs also have a specific focus in the development of highly qualified personnel.

Stemming from the National Osteoarthritis Initiative held in 2002, CAN developed its first SRI in Osteoarthritis (OA). Following a consensus building conference hosted by the Alliance for the Canadian Arthritis Program (ACAP) that was sponsored by CAN and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (CIHR/IMHA), a joint research partnership was created between CAN and IMHA using its strategic funds worth $4.4 million over five years. To view the research programs funded under the SRI in OA, click here.

CAN's second SRI is focused in Inflammatory Joint Diseases (IJD). In May 2004, a national consensus conference, Frontiers in Inflammatory Joint Disease, was held to identify critical research questions in this area. CAN formed a partnership with IMHA, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Institute of Infection and Immunity (CIHR/III) and The Arthritis Society (TAS) to launch the National Research Partnership in IJD (NRP in IJD). In 2006, CAN, TAS, IMHA and III awarded $1.1 million to fund research into Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. For more details, click here.

Additional funding will be directed over five years on projects studying Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and reactive arthritis. The NRP in IJD generated tremendous research partnership opportunities with industry and future initiatives are expected to be equally successful.

CAN's third SRI is in the area of Bioengineering for the Restoration of Joint Function (BIO RJF), reflecting an area of significant unmet need and in which our membership has significant expertise. One successful workshop has already taken place in Vancouver, British Columbia (June 2006) and a position paper was produced that captures the findings from that event. To read the Bioengineering for the Restoration of Joint Function position paper, click here. In 2008, CAN held an open competition to solicit applications to fund research in the area of Bioengineering for the Restoration of Joint Function. Two Investigators were successful. With the funding of research in this field, CAN has achieved its goal of supporting vital research in these three areas. Please click here to read the abstracts.

Return to top

Strategic Research Initiative Development Grants

SRI Development Grants (SRIDs) are intended to facilitate acquisition of preliminary data and development of projects to a level at which they will become competitive as SRI project applications. This is a non-renewable program, available for two years. Like SRIs, SRIDs drive integrated trans-disciplinary (inter-thematic), multi-institutional research with a translational research slant.

To view the projects funded by the Network, please click here.

Due to the evolving needs of CAN researchers, the SRID program has concluded and the Strategic Research Program Grant Competition has been introduced in its place. See below for more details on the SRP Program.

Return to top

2009-11 SRP Grant Competition

The 2009-11 Strategic Research Program grant competition aims to promote new innovative transdisciplinary (multidisciplinary) research, aligned with CAN's Strategic Research Plan, that have strong potential to lead to future research initiatives offered by other research agencies or represents a significant partnership with a receptor who will likely continue the project beyond CAN funding.

Funding

• Up to $120,000 per year for two years is available from CAN for proposals that include well-integrated, multi-institutional (University) components.
• Up to $40,000 per year for two years is available from CAN for proposals that involve only one institution (University).

Application Deadlines

LOI Submission deadline: Monday, December 7^th, 2009
Full Application deadline: Tuesday, February 16^th, 2010

Return to top

Discovery Advancement Program

The DAP provides funding intended to support novel, innovative, high risk projects to advance the investigation of new ideas, areas of research and/or concepts relevant to arthritis.

Project proposals should:

• focus on the development of new tools, devices or techniques/procedures (including measures);
• have potential for translation, however, as they are at an early stage of development, a high level of risk is acceptable; and,
• be aligned with CAN's Strategic Research Plan.

Application Deadlines

Submission deadline: Tuesday, February 16^th, 2010

Return to top

Industry Research Program

Industry Research Program (IRP) grants are designed to promote new transdisciplinary industry partnered project proposals in arthritis.

Up to $75,000 per year for two years is available for projects with 3:1 matched cash contributions by industry partners.

CAN is available to assist applicants to establish research partnerships. In addition, the Partnership Planning Grant is available to support partnering and planning meetings.

Submission Deadlines

All IRP applications must be submitted to the CAN office by March 22, 2010. All IRP documentation can be sent to Stefanie Cara, Research Program Coordinator, at scara@mtsinai.on.ca. If you have any questions, please call 416-586-4800 Ext. 5164.

Click here for more details.

Return to top

Partnership Planning Grant

The Partnership Planning Grant (PPG) program is intended to support the planning and development of multi-disciplinary applications for research/partnering initiatives that are strategically aligned with CAN priorities (eg. Platform Programs, one-off legacy opportunities). A grant of $10,000 is available and may be used for the purpose of:

• identifying and nurturing partnerships with receptor community representatives (industry, government and non-governmental organizations); and/or,
• creating new research groups to apply to CAN's research funding programs.

Submission deadlines

PPG applications have no fixed deadline dates and may be submitted at any time.

Return to top

KT Supplement Grants and KT Synthesis Grants

The Canadian Arthritis Network (CAN) is pleased to provide details about the launch of its new Knowledge Translation and Exchange (KTE) Program, developed in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's (CIHR) Knowledge Synthesis and Exchange Branch (KSE) and Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA).

The goal of the KTE Program is to use existing funding opportunities to support syntheses and supplements on CAN/arthritis-related research topics that will consolidate knowledge and expertise in this area and maximize its translation to the knowledge user/receptor community and ultimately impact Canadians and Canada.

CAN and its partners will be supporting two types of funding opportunities: KT Supplement Grants and KT Synthesis Grants.

Return to top

2009 PGP Competition

The 2009 Pilot Grant Program (PGP) is an open competition for new investigators that aims to support new investigators who are establishing their careers in arthritis research.

Eligibility: New Investigators who, at the time of the application:

• are within 3 years of receiving their first academic appointment;
• hold an appointment as an independent investigator at a CIHR eligible Institution at the time of taking up the award, and throughout the term of the award;
• who do not hold (or have not held) peer-reviewed operating funds as a Principal Investigator totalling greater than $30,000.

Funding

• Up to $50,000 is available from CAN for this award.

Application Deadlines

Registration deadline: Monday, February 8, 2010
Submission deadline: Tuesday, February 16, 2010

For further information and to recieve the Pilot Grant Program application and forms, please contact Stefanie Cara at scara@mtsinai.on.ca or at 416-586-4800 ext. 5164.

Return to top

2010-12 Rapid Impact Platform Program

The 2010-12 Rapid Impact Platform Program (RIPP) is the first phase of CAN's Platform Program. The aim of the RIPP is to fund the creation of tangible outputs (e.g. consensus statements, products, resources, and services) that will facilitate research and the utilization of research results. The development of platforms is intended to help CAN researchers harness existing expertise within the network to avoid "reinventing the wheel" through individual research efforts.

The 2010-2012 RIPP is intended to support initiatives that can be quickly implemented and utilized by CAN researchers. Accordingly, it will focus on supporting initiatives that involve bringing experts together (for example, in workshops and functional groups that would establish practice guidelines; standardize research processes or outcome measures; or assemble compendiums of knowledge). Successful RIPP initiatives will create tangible products (e.g. white papers or standard operating procedures) and bring direct research value to a significant number of CAN members.

Funding

• CAN will fund up to six platform initiatives, with a maximum budget of $60,000 per initiative.
• Applications will be reviewed for eligibility, and future competitions will announced until a total of six awards are filled.

Deadlines

Application information and forms are available on the member site. For more information please contact:
Brian Bobechko
Director of Research & Development
Phone: 416-586-4800 Ext. 4117

Return to top

For more information, contact:

Stefanie Cara
Research Program Coordinator
Phone: 416-586-4800 Ext. 5164
scara@mtsinai.on.ca